2.0 Analysis 2.1 Fall Overboard No precise reason could be established for the deck-hand falling overboard. Given the good weather conditions and the absence of other traffic in the area, there were no outside factors to affect the vessel's movement in the seaway. However, the deck-hand was inexperienced and had only worked on the RED FIR NO. 15 for six days. Someone who is new to a vessel and less familiar with that vessel's layout and motion is more likely to lose his footing. 2.2 Wearing of Lifejacket From the information available with regard to the lifejackets on board the RED FIR NO. 15, it could not be established with certainty if the deck-hand was wearing a lifejacket when he fell overboard. However, given the thoroughness of the search and the fact that neither the deck- hand nor a lifejacket was found during the search, it is considered unlikely that the deck-hand was wearing a lifejacket at the time of the accident. 2.3 Tug Design The vessel's construction incorporates a 30 cm-high foot rail around the edge of the afterdeck, but the effective height over most of her length is reduced to some 10 cm by the wooden working platform built over the deck area. This raising of the working deck level decreases any personnel safety factor that the foot rail could offer in terms of a foothold and lessens its effectiveness in helping a person recover his balance. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The tug was engaged in towing a loaded chip barge on a short tow-line during the hours of darkness. The deck-hand was new to the vessel, inexperienced, and working alone on the afterdeck of the tug. The deck-hand fell overboard into the path of the barge. There are no bulwarks or shipside rails on the afterdeck. The raised working platform on the afterdeck limits the foot rail's usefulness as a foothold. An extensive search of the area failed to locate the deck-hand. The deck-hand was probably not wearing a lifejacket or any other flotation device. 3.2 Causes Although the precise reason for the deck-hand falling overboard could not be established, the design of the tug was a contributing factor in that there are no effective handrails or bulwarks on the afterdeck. The deck-hand could not be found because he probably was not wearing any form of flotation device. The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.